3 Common Misconceptions About Reputation Management

Common Misconceptions about reputation management– The advent of social media has made sharing complaints easier and faster than ever before. In the past, word of mouth was the only way that negative experiences were shared. And it was truly word of mouth, one person talking to others about the poor service they received or the shoddy product they purchased. While this was certainly detrimental to a company, it was limited in its scope. Unless the story was important enough to be picked up by the media, the damage was fairly contained. Now, it takes one post on Facebook or a tweet on Twitter, to go viral and potentially reach hundreds of thousands of people. Review sites such as Yelp are reviewed by consumers before they make a purchase, visit a restaurant or hire a serviceperson. Many business owners feel lost because they don’t know how to handle this situation. Let’s take a look at three of the most common misconceptions which keep them from seeking reputation management.

1. It Takes Too Much Time

Small business or solo professionals such as doctors and accountants have a limited staff and their time is often at a premium. They believe that they do not have the time to deal with negative online reviews. But this is simply not the case. Outsourcing the work required to manage your reputation will allow you and your staff to do what you do best while still addressing the complaints which can damage your business.

2. It’s Too Expensive

Hiring a company to manage your company’s reputation is one of the smartest investments you can make. Negative reviews can hurt your business by keeping people away from your doors. There are several different approaches to remedying a complaint and a professional reputation manager knows which one to take. Losing business and goodwill difficult to recover and that’s why it’s important to deal with these problems head-on and as soon as possible.

3. There’s Nothing You Can Do Once It’s Online

Many business owners believe that they have no control over what’s posted online about them or their company, theses are a common misconceptions about reputation management. However, by being proactive and having a plan in place, it is possible to reach out to the unsatisfied customer and resolve the issue. Depending on where the negative comment appeared, it can be removed. If not, the customer can write a new review or an update to the original one to explain how the issue was resolved. Ignoring the problem is not the right approach when it comes to your online reputation.

Common Misconceptions about Reputation Management- Conclusion

Maintaining a positive online reputations is essential to a successful business. Positive word-of-mouth promotes credibility and trust in a way which advertising simply cannot. It doesn’t have to be a difficult task and the efforts can take a company from surviving to thriving. Don’t be mislead by the myths about reputation management. There are tools which streamline the process in a way which is affordable and effective. Your company’s efforts will be rewarded by an impressive return on your investment.

Interested in learning more about how to manage your small business reputation?